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Friday, June 6, 2014

Fantasy Friday - Your Guide to Schools of Magic

Let's face it - ever since you discovered the world of Harry Potter, you've wanted to go to Hogwarts. You kept waiting for that letter by owl post, but maybe you just didn't make the cut. But fear not, there are other magical schools out there! Even if we probably won't get in, it doesn't stop us from dreaming! without further ado, here's a guide to some awesome magical boarding schools!

Hogwarts (Harry Potter)

Who gets in? Witches and Wizards (aka people who are born with magic)

Ages: 11-17

Why it's awesome: IT'S HOGWARTS. When you can learn everything from Potions to Transfiguration to Quidditch in one place, meet such creatures as centaurs, dragons, and nearly-headless ghosts, and make friends with fabulous people, what's not to like? There's adventure around every corner, and the school has such a big history of mischief-makers. Not to mention the butterbeer.

Hecate Hall (Hex Hall)

Why it's awesome: Hex Hall is a mysterious old building, and there are all sorts of creatures that go there - witches, warlocks, vampires (well, there's only one of them there at the moment. Pink hair. Can't miss her.), and werewolves. The people are hilarious ("White witches and dark witches? What are we? Chicken meat?"), and there are a lot of strange and exciting things going on in these halls. And with a school full of fellow delinquents, you know there's going to be trouble.

The University (The Kingkiller Chronicles)

Who gets in: Anyone who can pass the grueling entrance exam, or who can pay their way out of it

Ages: 18 and up I believe? But if you're Kvothe you can get in when you're 15.

Why it's awesome: The University is the only school of magic in this world, and teaches Sympathy, Alchemy, Artificery, and Naming. The Archives underground have more books than you can imagine, and there are secret passageways everywhere. There's a ranking system as students learn and master magic, which is pretty cool. It's also cool to learn how to do such things like learn the true Names of things like wind or fire, draw runes, and energy manipulation through Sympathy.

Bloor's Academy (Charlie Bone/Children of the Red King series)

Who gets in: Anyone gifted in the arts (music, art, or drama). This is a school for both endowed and unendowed (nonmagical) people

Ages: 11-18

Why it's awesome: The best thing about this academy is that you don't have to magical to hang out with magical people. Students with magic are the descendants of the Red King, and have powers such as control over weather, traveling through paintings, illusions, and shape shifting. The academy has the awesome teachers and the teachers that give you nightmares, but it seems overall like a fun place to be.

What are some of your favorite schools of magic? Have I missed any good ones? Let me know in the comments!

I had totally forgotten about the University from The Name of The Wind. There is also The Magician's Guild (Trudi Canavan) and my top favorite which I haven't decided if I'd take the spot from Hogwarts is Excelsine from The Awakening of Ren Crown. It's downright awesome! I mean it's in/on a mountain!!